Men in the OB

Brob,

While I was in labor with my youngest son, I had a male nurse and I thought he was wonderful! When I had my first child I don't think I would have been comfortable though ( I was young and very modest)......We have several male nurses on my floor now and its a mixed reaction from women. If this is what you want to do, go for it!! People just need a chance to experience something different in order to appreciate it. If you are providing them with excellent care they will accept you.

Good luck!

The male students in my clinical group had a good time in L&D and no problems with patients at all- but said they felt uncomfortable in Post-partum. Still, they got through it. They found that having the instructor do the first postpartal assessment with them observing helped.

If you can relax it could be a lot of fun. There are tons of opportunities for patient teaching and the family dynamic is really interesting.

Kim

How many of the doctor's who deliver babies are men? Why is it that male nurses should make women feel any more uncomfortable than a male doctor. This just doesn't make any sense to me. For what it's worth, I don't think your gender is what matters - it's the care your provide. Just my thoughts.

Best of luck to you! I just graduated in December, and am hoping to actually work in OB.

Take care,

Emily

I personally wouldn't mind having a nurse that was a man for my postpartum experience. I can, however, understand why a woman would not want one though. A man is not able to give birth, so it may be hard for a woman to relive her birth experience after-the-fact with a male (except maybe the husband). It's probably hard for some women to feel that a man will totally understand what she is going thru. In our hospital, all the ob nurses have children, so they are able to share their own first-hand experiences with pts.

I don't have kids yet. In my OB rotation, I felt uncomfortable showing the new mothers how to breastfeed, since i have never actually done it!! I was thinking that maybe a male would feel uncomfortable in this situation, rightly so.

Man!

I'm still a couple of semesters from my OB rotation but I have to tell you - I've been thinking about the same thing. I have reasoned out the same things the ladies said. It all makes sense. I'm just going to go with the flow and see what happens.

Terence

Originally posted by Brob

Hi Everyone,

I am a student nurse about to begin my OB rotation. I am from a theory standpoint looking forward to it but was wondering if anybody could give me an idea what the reaction might be to a male nurse from patients.

Do you think they will be accepting or will I be making anyone uncomfortable? Thanks for your help!!!

I don't mean to scare you off Brob, but it was the most uncomfortable time during my entire clinical rotation. I didn't say bad - uncomfortable. Being a guy myself, I didn't know what to do. Should I put my hands in my pockets or just kind of lean one on my waist? How long can you look before they start thinking your a weirdo? :imbar Just hook up with a nurse ASAP, and let her know you feel somewhat out of place. The younger ladies usually feel very uncomfortable - not to mention their SO. You'll find the women in their thirties or so with a couple of kids at home usually don't mind you watching the birth. I came across one of these women and being a single guy I had one of coolest experiences of a lifetime watching a live birth. Don't worry it's usually a short rotation and the instructors will generally understand your position. There is a lot more to L&D than lady partss. The nursery was a great day too. If your lucky, you'll get to witness one of the scariest things known to man a CIRCUMCISION aaaahhh

When I had my first daughter I had a male OB nurse came in to give me a lady partsl exam and a breast exam. He was very confident about it and I didn't think anything of it at all!

And let me tell you most women who are in labor are either going to act crazy towards everyone or not give a crap!!

If YOU are not nervous about things then the women wont be either. Confidence about your abilities will take you a long way.

Marilyn

When I completed my maternity clinical, this past summer, I was in a group with a few male nurses...They didn't have a problem at all...I think people are more likely to be concerned about having a student than a male...That is unless they come from a traditional muslim family..then they might have an issue (I know this from experience not just judgement)

Originally posted by hmccartn

When I completed my maternity clinical, this past summer, I was in a group with a few male nurses...They didn't have a problem at all...I think people are more likely to be concerned about having a student than a male...That is unless they come from a traditional muslim family..then they might have an issue (I know this from experience not just judgement)

Your absolutely correct, but male student is even worse. I think if the students were alowed to were scrubs instead of those goofy smocks with a two foot patch that says STUDENT. They would be able to walk in with some authority and do what any nurse would do with nothing off limits that shouldn't be.

On my OB rotation we had to wear scrubs instead of our uniforms. Everytime I went into the room I was greeted by the family with "how are you doc." I swear I got that at least four times. Anyways, I enjoyed the experience and for the most part all the women were courteous enough to let me observe the birth of their baby.

One of the best OB nurses I ever worked with was a man, the only problem I could see is that some places wont hire a male nurse in OB. So it may be harder to find a job but if you want to work in Ob it isnt impossible, so go for it! OB is such a wonderful place to work.

There are many many male OB doctors. They have never given birth, they examine young, modest women who are delivering their first child. What's the difference in a male doctor and a male nurse in L&D????

OB was my favorite rotation in nursing school. I inquired about employment in L&D at that hospital (a Baptist hospital). They told me they did not hire men into the L&D department.

That is discriminatory. If I were applying today for a job in L&D and was told that I believe I would file a gender discrimination suit and challenge it in court.